History Book: The Oct. 7 timeline

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, October 7th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Up next, the WORLD History Book.

One year ago today Hamas invaded southern Israel. A brazen act of terror. It was directed primarily at civilians. Hamas murdered nearly 1200 Israelis, including at least 40 Americans. Hundreds were taken hostage.

WORLD’s Paul Butler walks us through the events of that terrible day

PAUL BUTLER: As the sun rises on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 Hamas flies explosive drones into Israeli monitoring towers along the border fence with Gaza and begins jamming IDF communication centers. At 6:30 a.m. air raid sirens begin blaring across the southern and central regions of Israel as Hamas launches 3,000 rockets—exceeding the capacity of the Iron Dome defense system to respond. Many rockets hit their targets.

SOUND: MUHAMMAD DEIF

At the same time, the leader of the Hamas' military wing posts a 10-minute recorded message online that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has begun. He urges Palestinians to attack Israeli settlements with whatever weapons they have.

Under the cover of the rocket barrage, terrorists bulldoze through fences and emerge en masse from tunnels.

At 6:42 a.m., Hamas fighters cross the border and head inland on motorcycles. Fourteen minutes later they pull into Be’eri—a communal farming settlement—just three miles east of Gaza.

SOUND: BODYCAM FOOTAGE OF ATTACK

They begin shooting indiscriminately. Pockets of resistance slow the attack, but the kibbutz is quickly overrun and Hamas terrorists kill more than 100 people and take dozens of hostages.

SOUND: NOVA MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH MISSILES IN THE BACKGROUND

Meanwhile, less than five miles away, more than 3000 people are attending the Supernova Music Festival near the Re'im kibbutz. Many have been partying all night…others are getting an early start. At 7:00am, Hamas militants arrive…some on motorcycles, others flying in on motorized paragliders. Festival goers flee to their cars, but terrorists kill 364 and kidnap 40.

By 7:40 the Israeli Defense Forces confirm the invasion and issue warnings across southern Israel—telling residents to find immediate shelter and remain indoors.

SOUND: SIRENS / ROCKETS FROM PERSPECTIVE OF JERUSALEM

At 8:15 a.m. Jerusalem sirens begin as a rocket barrage falls short of its target…striking a forested area on the city's western edge.

At 8:23 a.m. the Israeli government declares a state of alert for war…activating tens of thousands of reservists. 10 minutes later, Israel’s counteroffensive begins against Hamas.

SOUND: IAF ATTACKING GAZA

At 10:47 a.m. the Israeli Air Force begins firing into Gaza—in an attempt to knock out the rocket launchers continuing to fire into Israel.

48 minutes later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes his first public statement about the conflict on Twitter…He later records this message which is broadcast across the country:

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: [HEBREW WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION] Citizens of Israel, we are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price. We are at war and we will win it.

In Gaza, militants begin returning with hostages and captured Israeli military equipment.

SOUND: CELEBRATIONS

Casualties begin to mount in Gaza, as the Israelis fight back.

SOUND: GAZA MORGUE

At 5:30 a.m. in Washington D.C. the National Security Council issues a statement condemning the terrorist attack and reaffirms US support for Israel.

SOUND: NETANYAHU MEETING WITH THE WAR CABINET

Not long after, Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with the Israeli security cabinet—reiterating that a state of war had officially begun.

SOUND: SOLIDARITY PROTEST IN IRAN

Meanwhile in the capital of Iran, thousands of supporters gather in Tehran’s Palestine Square in a show of solidarity. Some carry banners reading “The Great Freedom Operation Has Begun” as fireworks fill the air. Similar rallies erupt across the region overnight.

In this country, President Joe Biden addresses members of the press from the White House after speaking with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

JOE BIDEN: Good afternoon, today, the people of Israel are under attack, orchestrated by a terrorist organization, Hamas. In this moment of tragedy, I want to say to them and to the world and to terrorists everywhere that the United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back.

Let me say this as clearly as I can: this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks, to seek advantage. The world is watching. And let there be no mistake, the United States stands with the state of Israel. Thank you very much.

On October 8th, Israel formally declares a state of war. Daily rocket strikes begin from the north as Hezbollah seeks to take advantage of the Hamas attack.

The military starts mass evacuations of everyone living near the Gaza Strip. On October 9th Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises that Israel will completely defeat Hamas. No matter what the cost:

NETANYAHU: Israel is at war. We didn't want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn't start this war, Israel will finish it. Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come.

According to Action on Armed Violence, the October 7th Hamas attack killed 1,269 victims: 816 civilians, 59 police officers, 382 military personnel, and 13 emergency responders. Hamas also took 236 hostages. About 100 remain in captivity. It is unknown how many are still alive.

That’s the week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

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